Arc-light.



COLUMBIA PLANDUR N D C G. HUMBER.

ARC LIGHT. APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, I9I4. I

1,146,498. PatentedJu1y13,1915.

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eUsTAvE HUMBEP., or DENVER, coLoRAno.

ARC-LIGHT.

Specification ofLetters Patent.

ratentea July 13, 191.5.y

Application led May 6, 1914. Serial No. 836,636.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GUsTAvE I-IniuBER, a citizen of the United States, reslding at Denver, county of Denver, and State of Colorado, have invented certain newand useful Arc-Lights, of which the following 1s a specification. rIhis invention relates to certain new and `useful improvements in arc lamps, and has for its primary object to provide means whereby a steady light may be maintained without the use of manual interference for feeding the carbons as they become burned. A furtherV object of the invention is to provide means for initially establishing the arc between normally contactedelectrodes and for automatically maintaining the same. A still further object of -my invention is toprovide in connection with an arc lamp, improved means for supporting and feeding the carbons, in order that the same may be fed or adjusted automatically to maintain the requisite gap between their points to produce a steady and unflickering light.

A still further object of my invention is to provide in an arc lamp provided with a reflector, improved means for adjusting the electrode points with relation to the re-k Hector, whereby the light may be accurately centered to acquire the highest efficiency of the lamp.

Vith these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be fully described hereinafter, and

more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention will be more read1lyunderstood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein I have illustrated a practical embodiment of theinvention, and in which;

Figure 1 is an elevation, parts broken away, of an arc lamp of the` character described to which is applied the improved means for accomplishing the desired ends.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the reflector of the lamp and illustrating in elevation one of the carbon supporting brackets, Fig. 4 is a detail elevation of the carbon supporting brackets illustrating a slightly modified form of the invention, and, Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, in which there is illustrated a still further modification.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, 6 and 7 represent respectively the electrodes employed in the usual arc light of v this character, and inasmuch as this device is adapted more particularly to be used in connection with head lights for locomotives and other vehicles, a reiector 8 is provided. The electrodes are so arranged as to normally contact at their ends adjacent the center `of the reflector, and to this end a pair of brackets 9 and 10 are employed for supporting the same. The bracket 9 is arranged upon the arm 11, which vmay be formed separately from the main support and secured thereto by the securing elements 12. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I have illustrated the bracket 9 secured to the free end ofy a member 13 forming a part of the standard 14 for supporting the carbons and the component elements of the device. Pivoted as at 15 to themember 13 adjacent the free end thereof, is an arm 16, provided at its outer end with the bracket 10 for the ac* commodation of the electrode 7. j The brackets 9 and 10 are provided with electrode supporting means comprisingv generally a plurality` of alined collars 18, each being of a trifle greater interior diameter than the diameters ofthe electrodes, in order that the latter may be free to move longitudinally therein, and means hereafter described for holding the electrodes in position therein. The brackets are so arranged with respect to their supporting arms `as to converge the electrodes G and 7 carried thereby f to meet at; their projecting ends adjacent the reflector 8. From this arrangement it establish the essential arc. ToA facilitate the ready removal of the arm 11 from the end of the member 13, and in order that the same may be insulated therefrom, the endsof the arm 11 and the member 13 are spliced, as shown in Fig. 2, and insulating material 19 is 'inserted between the adjacent ends.

For the purpose oi automatically establishing and maintaining the arc it is necessary that the pivoted arm 16 be moved toward or away from the stationary arm 11 to properly space the ends of the electrodes contained therein, and to accomplish this, a cam 20 is pivoted upon the member 13 adjacent to and adapted to engage the pivoted arm 15. A rocker arm 21 is secured to the said cam, and is connected at its ree end by a link 22 to the adjacent end of a lever 23 pivoted as at 24 upon the member 13. A solenoid 25 is secured adjacent the opposite end of the lever 23, having the core 26 thereof in connection with the said opposite end of the lever by the hook member 27. A plate 28 of insulated material is interposed between the hook member 27 and the lever to prevent a short circuit of the electrical current. Between the opposite end oit the lever 23 and a stationary support 29 is interposed a retractile spring 30, provided at its extreme end with a wing nut 31 in order that the tension of the same may be regulated. 1t is obvious from this arrangement that upon rotary movement oi the cam 20 the arm 1G carrying the electrode 7 will be moved toward or away from the stationary arm 11 accordingly as the cam is rotated, and it is apparent that the arc at the ends of the carbons is controlled by the tlow ol current through the solenoid 25. Binding posts 32 and 33 are located upon the arms 11 and 16, to which wires 34 conducting electrical current maybe secured, the solenoid 25 being in series with the electrodes.

The clutch device 35 is arranged between the converging carbons to regulate the gravitation of the latter and this clutch device comprises generally a pair of rings 36, one encircling each of the carbons 6 and 7, and being of substantially greater diameter than the latter. A contractile spring 37 is connected at its opposite end to the said rings, and insulated material 38 is positioned in the length of the spring. The rings 36 forming the clutch members rest normally upon the opposite collars forming brackets for the electrodes, and it is obvious that when the arm 16 is swung to its innermost position, the tension of the spring 37 will be relieved as will also the binding action of the rings 36 upon the sides oit the electrodes, and the latter will be permitted to gravitate to meet at their points. It will be apparent that upon outward movement of the arm 16 the rings 36, by reason of the tension of the spring 37, will exert inward pressure upon the electrodes to cause a binding action between the sides of the latter and the interior walls oit the electrode supporting brackets and in consequence the said electrodes are securely held against gravitation. It is obvious that when the arm 16 is swung to its innermost position, and the points of the convergent electrodes are engaged, the introduction of electrical current to the electrodes will energize the solenoid 25, causing the latter to attract the core 26, rocking the adjacent end of the lever 23 downwardly, and ultimately rotating the cam 2O to move the arm 16 outwardly to form the gap between the electrode points as illustrated in Fig. l. As the electrodes burn away at their points and the gap is increased the rcsistance at the gap is obviously increased, and the strength of the current is reduced to such extent vas to weaken the attractive force of the solenoid 25, permitting the spring 3() to rock the inner end oi' the lever 23 downwardly, and ultimately rotating the cam 20 to permit the arm 16 to swing inwardly, whereby the carbons are permitted, by release of the clutch, to gravitate to again meet. In this manner it is obvious that an ajjiparently steady light is maintained without manual interference as long as the carbons last, and the only necessity for manual interference is to replace burned out carbons and to occasionally clean and oil the several movable parts.

In order that the electrode points may be adjusted to be properly centered with relation to the reflector the base 39 ot the support is provided with a threaded stem 40 upon which is mounted the interior-ly threaded sleeve 41, swiveled upon the lower end of the standard 14. Obviously by tuining the sleeve 41, vertical adjustment oi' the standard and the mechanism carried thereby is had.

In Fig. 4 ot' the drawings I have illustrated a slightly modified form of the device, wherein the brackets supporting the carbons are both secured upon pivoted arms 42 and 43, a double cam 44 being provided to operate the said arms to swing inwardly and outwardly. By this arrangement a more even feed of the electrodes may be had, and also a more complete and instantaneous operation of the electrode clutching device.

Fig. 5 illustrates a still further modified form of the invention, wherein the clutch mechanism employed in the above described forms of the invention is dispensed with. The mechanism for clutching the electrodes here used, comprises a pair of cams 45 and 46 pivoted upon the arms upon which the converging electrodes are positioned, and these cams are so positioned as to engage, when in one position, the sides of the electrodes to hold the same securely against movement within the brackets. The cams are provided with arms 47, in pivotal connection with a plate 4S, which in turn is connected with the arm by a resilient member 49. In this manner the electrode engaging cams are in direct connection with the solenoid, and the movement or feedlLiO ing of the electrodes ijs'not dependent upon movement of the arm or arms supporting v the` carbons as is the case in the above described forms of theinvention. I claimf n l. -In an arc lamp, a support, an electrode bracketfixed to said support a second electrode bracket pivoted.V upon said support, and both of said brackets being provided with means for supporting electrodes in downwardly convergingjpositions, and elecy trodes arranged in said supporting means to gravitate to meet at their ends coperating means upon said 4electrodes for holding the same in position when said brackets are sepf arated, a cam coperating with said pivoted bracket for swinging kthe same toward or away from said fixed bracket, a solenoid, and means connecting said cam and said solenoid whereby movement of vsaid cam will be governed by the flow of electric current through said solenoid, substantially as described.

2. In an arc lamp, a support, an electrode bracket fixed to said support, an arm piv';

oted to said support and provided with an electrode bracket and both of said-brackets being provided with means for supporting electrodes in downwardly converging position, electrodes loosely mounted in said supporting means to gravitate therein to meet at their ends, clutches on said elec-y trodes and a spring connecting said clutches normally holding said electrodes in fixed position when said brackets are separated, and means for swinging said larm toward or away from said fixed bracket, substantially Vas described. x

3. In an arc lamp, a support, any electrodey bracket fixed to said support, an arm pivoted to said support and'provided with an electrode bracket and both of said brackets i being provided with means for supporting electrodes in downwardly converging position, electrodes loosely mounted in said supporting meansv and adapted to gravitate therein to meet at their ends, clutch niembers on said electrodes, a spring connecting said clutch members whereby said electrodes, are held against gravitation when said arm is swungaway from said fixed bracket and will be. released upon inward movement of ysaid arm suflicient to relieve the tension of the spring, and'means for 'holding said eiectrodes in said brackets,

whenfsaidarm is rocked away from said fixed bracket,v a caml on said support cooperating'wi'th said arm to control the movements thereof, a solenoid and core, and a connection between the said core and said cam whereby the movements ofthe latter are controlled by thek movements of the core, substantiallyr as described. n

5. In an arclamp, a support, a pair yof arms pivotallyl secured at one end to said support and adapted to swing 'toward' or away from each other at their free ends, brackets on saidarms adapted to hold electrodes in downwardly converging position, electrodes loosely ymounted for gravitation in said brackets extending beyond said free ends to meet, clutch members on said electrodes, a spring connecting said clutch members whereby said electrodes are held against gravitation when said brackets are swung apart-and will be released upon inward movement of said brackets to allow said electrodes to gravitate, and means governed by the yflow of electrical current through said electrodes for controlling the movement of' said brackets, substantially as described.

6. In an arc lamp, a support, a pair of arms each pivotally secured at one end to said support to permit of their opposite ends swinging toward or from each other, an electrode supporting bracket on each of said arms adapted vto hold electrodes in downwardly converging position, electrodes loosely mounted for gravitation in said brackets, and extending beyond said free ends to for holding said electrode against gravitation in said brackets when said arms are swung away from each other, a cam on said support adapted to yengage said arms to swing the same toward or away from each other, a solenoid and core, and a connection between said cam and said core whereby the former will be controlled by movements of the latter, substantially as described.

7. In an arc lamp, a support, an electrode bracket fixed to said support, an arm pivoted to said support and provided with an electrode bracket and adapted to swing t0- ward or away from said fixed bracket, electrodes mounted for gravitation within said bracket and adapted to meet at their ends, means for releasably supporting said electrodes within said brackets, a cam mounted upon said support and adapted to engage said pivotedarm, a lever on said cam, a solenoid, and la link connecting said lever and the core of said solenoid whereby said Iarm will be rocked when said solenoid is energized, substantially as described.

8. In an arc lamp, a support, an electrode bracket fixed to said -supporta second electrode bracket pivoted upon said support,

contact at their points, coperatiiig means said second bracket beiner adapted to swing toward or away from said fixed bracket and both of said brackets being inclined downwardly and inwardly toward each other, electrodes loosely arranged in said brackets to gravitate to meet at their lower ends, a solenoid, a cam coperating with said pivoted bracket for swinging the same toward or away from said iiXed bracket, means connecting said cam and said solenoid whereby the movements of said cam will be governed by the ioW of electrical current through said solenoid, and means governed by the movements of said plvoted bracket for holding said electrodes against 15 gravitation when said brackets are separated, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing; Witnesses.

GUSTAVE HUMBER. vWitnesses:

T. D. COSTELLO, F. H. GROMM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

